Canyon Lister Fire Dept - Brush 51

Canyon-Lister Fire Department Brush 51 - What you need to know when driving, operating, or responding

Driving - Need to Know

Basic Info

Canyon-Lister Fire Department's Brush 51 is a rapid response brushfire truck built on a Ford F-550 chassis. It seats 5, and is powered by a V10 gas motor with automatic transmission.

Who is allowed to drive Brush 51?

Anyone can drive any time, including Code 3.

Any firefighter can drive any time, including Code 3.

Any firefighter approved by a CLFD Chief Officer can drive any time, including Code 3.

Any firefighter can drive under normal circumstances, but only those approved by a Chief Officer can drive Code 3.

Prior to leaving the hall, the driver of Brush 51 will do a check of:

Oil level and quality

Tires for obvious signs of under-inflation

Load security of everything on the deck

Proper operation of all emergency lights

Ensure no articles on the floor in front of the tires

All compartments and doors are secured

All firefighters on board have seatbelt buckles

All equipment, including helmets, in the cab area are secure

Driving Considerations

Brush51 may appear similar to most pickups, but has some very different driving characteristics.

Due to the weight of the added equipment, the acceleration and braking performance is greatly reduced. The truck has a button labeled "Tow/Haul" on the end of the shifter.

Pressing that button will improve acceleration, fuel economy, and allow for more engine braking which improves stopping distances.

The weight and long wheelbase limits the ability to make sharp turns. Use caution when turning corners or maneuvering in tight spots.

The compartments and water tank severely limit visibility to the rear of the truck. ALWAYS use a spotter when backing up.

Emergency Equipment

The driver is responsible for these tasks.

The front seat passenger is responsible for these tasks.

Who is responsible for operating the emergency lights, siren, and radio communication?

Ultra-High Pressure Pump System

Introduction

CLFD Brush 51 is equipped with an ultra-high pressure pump.

This pump is self-powered, running off a small gasoline motor with electric start. It is foam capable, and can flow water at 1400 psi through the attached small diameter hose mounted on a reel system. The nozzle easily switches between a straight or fog stream

The truck has a 350 water gallon water tank and 70 gallon foam tank. The water tank can be filled through the cap on top, or by the forestry quick-connect attachments with quarter-turn valves on either side.

There is a clear tube with a float mounted on the back of the tank which indicates water level.

Starting and Operating the Pump

Prior to starting the pump, locate the exhaust pipe extension located in the lower storage compartment to the right of the pump. Line up the notch and twist it to lock in place.

Turn the black knob from Betrieb to Start.

Make sure both valves (blue and yellow) are turned to 0. Pull the the choke out (located to the right of the yellow oil plug above the exhaust pipe), keep the throttle lever down (located to the right of the exhaust pipe), then turn the key to start. Once it is running, turn the black knob to Betrieb. Push in the choke, and raise the throttle lever to increase the engine rpm's.

Turn the blue knob from 0 to 1 to open the water valve. Leave the yellow knob at 0 for no foam, 6 for full foam, or anywhere in between to portion it.

There is a small knob on the side of the reel mount, near the top. Twist it a half turn to release the lock, allowing the reel to turn. Unroll the length of hose required.

The nozzle works the same as a pressure washer - squeeze the nozzle to flow water, release to stop. Twist the front handle to switch between straight or fog stream.

Filling the Water Tank

The Ultra High Pressure pump system flows a small volume of water, making the 350 gallon onboard tank last quite awhile. The tank can be filled at a fire or back at the hall either through the cap on top of the tank (may require a hose wrench to remove), or through one of the forestry quick-connects on each side of the truck, in front of the upper compartments.

After attaching the supply line, open the quarter turn valve until the tank is full. Close the valve before disconnecting the supply line or else you may lose significant amounts of water.

Shutting Down the Pump

Failure to shut the pump down properly can quickly lead to it failing to function as needed.

Prior to shutting off the pump, make sure the yellow know is turned back to 0. Failure to do so will allow foam to gum up and corrode the system, preventing water flow.

After the yellow knob is turned to 0, continue to flow water through the nozzle until there is no sign of any foam left in the lines. This will be evident by the lack of bubbles in the water stream.

Once the line is clear of foam, turn the blue knob to zero, and lower the throttle on the pump to low idle. Turn the key to the off position, and release the pressure in the lines by squeezing the nozzle. Leave the black knob in the "Getreib" position. Roll the hose back onto the reel, making sure to space it evenly side to side to prevent binding.

As soon as practical, re-fill the water tank, check the foam tank levels, and refill the fuel tank on the pump.

What Happens When Done Wrong

The foam used on this truck can be extremely corrosive. Failing to flush the foam from the system after use causes malfunctions, gummed up valves and filters, and can cause complete failure of the system.

This is the cap off the foam tank, it has corroded the galvanized steel, completely destroying the mesh screen. Imagine what it could do to the fine valves, springs, and fittings inside the pump!

The proper order for shutting down the Ultra High Pressure Pump is:

Turn foam (yellow) knob to 0

Spray water to clear all remaining foam from the system

Turn the water (blue) knob to 0

Lower idle lever to slow motor

Turn key to off

Squueze nozzle to release remaining pressure in lines

Re-roll the hose

Remove the exhaust pipe extension when cooled

Top off water supply at first opportunity

Portable Pumps

Introduction

CLFD Brush 51 is currently equipped with four portable pumps:

- one Davey pump, powered by a Honda motor, mounted on a plate on the rear deck

- two Shindaiwa pumps, stored in the lower passenger side compartment

- one mini-Shindaiwa pump, located in a large blue storage tub on the deck (subject to change)

Davey (Honda powered)

The Davey pump is powered by a Honda 5.5 hp four-stroke gas motor, and flows 105 gpm. It is mounted on a checker-plate base on the rear driver's side of the deck. The fuel container is stored in a checker-plate box next to the pump.

It utilizes a 1.5" hard suction line which is stored between the driver's side compartments and the water tank. It connects with a 1.5" cam-lock connection, and has a foot valve for priming.

The discharge is a 1.5" forestry quarter-turn connection, plus two capped 1" threaded connections (not used at this time).

For quickest setup, grab the pump, hard suction, and a small blue storage tub containing hoses, nozzles, and other fittings.

Shindaiwa GP450 pumps

The lower passenger side compartment holds two Shindaiwa GP450 pumps, capable of putting out 65 psi and 66 gpm. They are two stroke motors, requiring pre-mixed fuel at 50:1 gas:oil ratio. They weigh 17.2 lbs dry.

These pumps have a 1.5" cam lock intake. The hard suction lines for these pumps are between the passenger side compartments and the water tank, and are equipped with foot valves.

The same compartment that holds these pumps also holds fuel tanks. Use caution, as there are tanks of both straight and pre-mixed fuel.

For quickest setup, grab a pump, hard suction, and a smaller blue storage tub from the deck. The tub contains hose, nozzles, and other fittings that may be required.

Shindaiwa GP3410

There is currently one Shindaiwa GP3410 pump onboard this truck. It is located in a large blue storage container, along with its own hard suction line (1" with threaded fitting), two 50' lengths of 1" forestry line, a water thief, nozzles, and a collapsible bucket for priming.

This pump is very small and lightweight (about 5.6 lbs dry), but is limited on capabilities (34 gpm) and will perform best if used only for 1" or smaller (econo) hose.

Portable Tank (Pumpkin)

CLFD Brush 51 has a soft-sided portable water tank (pumpkin) stored on the deck. It is a 500 gallon tank, and has two 2.5" ports on the sides, one threaded with a gate valve and 10' pony line, the other with a storz fitting.

Supply Tubs

There are 4 smaller blue storage tubs stacked on the deck of Brush 51. Each tub is loaded identically, with three 50' lengths of 1.5" forestry line, a 6' pony line, plus nozzles, wye's, water thieves, econo line, and a collapsible bucket for priming.

Each tub is designed to work on any portable pump, and is enough to get a small water system started. They can be set up to be easily modified and built on.

When tasked with setting up a portable pump water supply, what needs to be taken off the truck?

Pump

Hard Suction

Blue Storage Tub

Spare hose

Nozzles

Hand Tools, Back-pack Pumps, and Other equipment

Introduction

Brush 51 carries a wide selection of tools that may be required for fighting a wild land fire. This includes various lengths of hoses, fitting types, hand tools, chain saw, and back-pack pumps.

Hand Tools

The tray on the deck of the truck contains an assortment of pulaskis, shovels, and McLeod tools. There are bolt cutters and various wrenches in the front lower driver's side compartment

Backpack Pump

There are several soft-shell back-pack pumps on the deck of the truck. They are yellow bags with a short hose connected to the pump handle. Pumping the handle sprays water from the pack. These packs can be very effective on small fires.

Hoses and Appliances

The rear upper compartment on the driver's side contains extra lengths of forestry line, both 50' and 100' lengths. There are three large backpacks, two empty and one preloaded with 1.5"s supply line, extra nozzles, wye's, and thieves. They can be quickly loaded and used to supplement a portable pump tub system.

The rear lower compartment on the driver's side contains extra wye's, thieves, caps, nozzles, and other appliances.

First Aid Kit and Rehab Products

The front upper compartment in the drivers side contains a full First Aid Kit and some beverages.

The front lower compartment contains bottles of water, including some small backpacks pre-loaded with bottled water, power-ade, and cola.

Chainsaw

The upper compartment on the passenger side holds the chainsaw, dual compartment gas can with premixed fuel and chain oil, and a storage tub with saw helmet, chaps, belt with wedges, and tools and files.